Hyundai has up to date its Korean web site with particulars concerning the anticipated refresh of its common Ioniq 5 EV, with solely minor modifications from the unique design however a whole lot of new options on the within.

We’ve been anticipating a refresh to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and an obvious facelift was noticed testing final yr, full along with your customary ugly automaker camouflage overlaying up the doorways and bumpers.

Now the veil has been lifted on the refresh and… it seems to be fairly related. However the refresh comes with a whole lot of new options, particularly some fixes for lots of the assorted shortcomings of an in any other case wonderful automotive.

The main points are all obtainable on Hyundai’s web site, however it’s in Korean solely. The American web site has not but been up to date with the brand new particulars, and every little thing we discuss right here is on the Korean model, and should or might not make it to the US model. We are able to think about a whole lot of these modifications will probably be carried over, however there could also be some variations in what’s obtainable in every market.

Exterior modifications embrace new colours, some modifications across the entrance fascia together with extra “pixel” motif particulars and an exterior cost standing indicator, and a barely bigger rear spoiler above the rear window. The modifications to the bumpers imply the automotive is now 20mm (.8 inches) longer than the earlier mannequin.

The Korean model of the automotive can be getting some modifications to the “digital aspect mirrors,” that are digital cameras instead of the aspect view mirrors, which aren’t obtainable within the US.

There are further exterior modifications for the upgraded “N line” model, particularly completely different bumpers, body-color trim on the wheel arches and door panels, 20-inch wheels and N line badging.

Person expertise has been improved with entry to Hyundai’s “Digital Key 2” which helps you to use your telephone or Apple Watch to lock and unlock the car. Ioniq 5 additionally has walk-away door locks (although these may solely perform with the important thing fob, not the digital key?)

And naturally the biggest change on the outside is the addition of a rear window wiper. This was a giant oversight on the unique car, which a number of house owners and potential patrons lamented the absence of. The refresh will get a wiper on the rear, so that you received’t have to fret about your rear window getting dirty anymore.

However the true modifications come contained in the automotive, with the largest change being the addition of about 7kWh of battery, bringing the automotive as much as 84kWh of capability (from 77.4kWh). The Ioniq 5 was beforehand rated at 458km (285mi) vary in Korea, and the battery enhance bumps that ranking to 485km (301mi).

We don’t have EPA vary numbers obtainable but or know if Hyundai will maintain again a few of this capability, however we are able to think about this modification will enhance EPA vary from its present 270mi to someplace within the mid-high 280s.

Regardless of the bigger battery, Hyundai says the Ioniq 5 has had a slight enchancment in cost efficiency and due to this fact will nonetheless cost from 10-80% in 18 minutes, sustaining what’s mainly the most effective quick charging efficiency obtainable proper now.

Different mechanical modifications embrace improved sound and vibration dampening, which ought to make for a smoother journey and fewer motor and street noise.

On the inside, a variety of new options have been added. The steering wheel has been redesigned with 4 “pixel” lights within the heart that are used as cost indicators or indicators for the voice recognition system – and likewise has one thing known as “palms on detection,” which we presume is a few form of driver alertness characteristic.

The sliding heart console is barely redesigned, with the addition of USB-C ports, relocation of the smartphone charging pad, and bodily buttons for some steadily used automotive options just like the seat heater/ventilator.

And for different purposeful modifications, a button has been added within the trunk to fold the rear seats down, making it simpler to load giant issues into the automotive from the rear.

However the greatest inside change isn’t seen, it’s in software program. The Ioniq 5 is gaining access to Hyundai’s “Related Automotive Navigation Cockpit” software program together with… over-the-air updates!

This can be a new characteristic for Ioniq 5, although it’s already current on the Ioniq 6 sedan. The updates received’t simply be for essential security/recall associated updates, however for software program enhancements as properly.

Lastly, all of this has resulted in no change in worth in Korea, with the identical base worth of 52,400,000 Korean Received (~$39,400). So we are able to hope that the US base worth, presently $41,800, will keep the identical or near the identical when this replace comes by.

As for availability, that’s anybody’s guess. We’ll have to attend for a solution from Hyundai on that one.

Electrek’s Take

The Ioniq 5 has rapidly turn out to be a favourite within the EV group, and it looks like a very strong car with nice specs, an excellent worth (particularly in case you lease it for entry to US tax credit, which Hyundai has been placing a whole lot of focus into), and customarily joyful clients.

In consequence, it’s additionally promoting extraordinarily properly, even within the US regardless of being from a international automaker which leads to tax credit score disadvantages. In 2023 it was the best-selling foreign-assembled EV within the US (the VW ID.4 did promote higher, and is from a international automaker, however it’s assembled in Tennessee).

Personally, I feel it’s one of many best-looking vehicles on the street in the present day. Regardless of being a small-car man myself, it’s about the one SUV that I actually like – largely as a result of it’s nonetheless compact, and likewise as a result of the design language of the automotive is so strong and constant. It seems to be simply quirky sufficient to be completely different, with out being too on the market.

However these modifications have been additionally wanted. The dearth of rear wiper particularly was a obvious oversight, and OTA updates are such an essential characteristic that has taken far too lengthy to percolate to the remainder of the business. An early-model Tesla Mannequin 3 is healthier in the present day than is was in 2017, which isn’t a factor you may say about most vehicles, and hopefully the Ioniq 5 has joined these ranks as a result of addition of OTA replace functionality.

So we hope most of those modifications make their approach to the US, and shortly, as a result of that is already a terrific automotive and these small fixes will simply make it that a lot larger.